Eternity's Shadow by Mark Whiteway

“I have had the privilege of reading all six books of the Lodestone series. They are all good books, but to me the way the author wrapped up the series is brilliant. I found tears running down my face as I was reading the last chapter of this book.

As I have come to expect from Mr. Whiteway, there are many twist and turns. It is like riding a roller coaster at times. So many new planets we are taken too. So many new battles to fight.
We have some new characters in this book that I really like. I also like it that some of my favorite characters are brought back into this final book. Even though this book is written five hundred years in advance from now, I have found some of the same things that will never die.

There will always be good people fighting for others, and people who have a taste of power and then want to have more power and greed. They will stop at nothing that may get in their way.

I have found the author to be a bit of a poet and philosopher also. Here are a couple of things that stood out to me.” “Trees cast their crowns of orange, crimson and gold together in a continuous canopy. Broad leaves bowed beneath the weight of an early morning dew.”

“It is not what happens, but the fear of what might happen that drives people to madness.”

“Each of us walks in eternity’s shadow.”

REGINE'S BOOK

Regine, was a seventeen year old girl whose life was filled with all the normal things you would expect of a girl her age. She had a great family and friends, all of whom she loved with all of her heart. She could hardly wait until she was eighteen and graduated from high school. Regine and her friends had already planned to go to the same college.

Regine had not felt good for a few months and her mom took her to the doctor and they took some test. Then Friday the 22nd of August 2008 the doctor called and told Regine’s, mom Julianne, that Regine may have a rare form of Leukemia. They wanted her in the hospital where they could do testing right away.

When Regine got home that day she walked in and could see that her mom had been crying and asked her what was wrong? Her mom told her, and her world fell apart. She knew nothing would ever be the same. The girl that walked in the door, was nothing like the girl who would walk out.

Regine began writing in a blog about her life. She posted almost every day. She always received hundreds and even thousands of replies. She also had some good days and got to go to concerts with her best friend Eli Ann. Almost everyone in Norway knew of her and she got back stage passes, hotel accommodations, and even free food.

But as her deadly disease took a spiral she could not answer all of the people who posted on her blog. Regine wanted people to know what it was like living with cancer. She wanted to give people hope, and to teach them to appreciate each day they were alive. You will also read about medical terms and the research that is being done to try and help people. Her parents found a poem she had wrote before she died and I will leave you with it.

“My path has only one direction, there are no signs, it’s impossible to go to the left or right. It’s impossible to turn, I can only go straight ahead, but the road is crooked, it’s neither light nor dark in front of me. There’s a fog. And no one knows what ….will be found on the other side.”

Secrets and Lies

I really enjoyed this book. The book has everything from magic, sorcerers, mystery and romance. Cassie's family has just disowned her and she is hurt and confused. She thinks it is because she has no magical powers like her siblings and parents.

She is confused and lost in a world she has no part of. Then Evan who is a young and powerful sorcerer saved Cassie life. In this mythical world that means she belongs to Evan and only him.

I can't wait until the next book of this series comes out. I have really enjoyed it.

Rated PG

Lodestone Book 4

I was amazed that the author was able to take us to a new dimension in the fourth installment of the series. One filled with so many twist that anyone who has read the first three books of this series will be surprised.

The book can also stand alone, but I recommend that people go back and read the other books first. In the weak economy we are facing here in the USA, buying books can be a luxury. I would say if you like science fiction, you have come to the right place.

I have been surprised by what happens in this book, but never disappointed. A tremendously likable book. The way this book ended I can see where there needs to be at least another book in the series.

I would buy this book, as well as the other three. In fact this would make a great movie or television series.

Reviewed by Sandra Heptinstall

Rated G

The How-To Handbook

As I was just flipping through this book I thought this book would not be for every age. Much to my surprise it is. Now are you ready to read something everyone has asked at one time or the other? Are you ready? Here we go…how to get rid of hiccups! One time I had to give a speech and guess who started to hiccup. I tried everything I had ever heard about and nothing worked.

I finally had to walk on stage and as I was looking at all the people, the first thing I did was hiccup. So I did the only thing that made sense to me. I asked if anyone knew how to stop hiccups. After people stopped laughing at me someone said try drinking upside down. I told the group I could not stand on my head and do it. So they told me to fill my mouth with water from the glass I had, and then bend over and swallow. That did not work either. I must say that people came up to me after my speech and said “they would always remember me.” You can find the cure on page 12.

The authors share many different things that you may not know. To this day I can’t fold a bottom sheet so it looks nice. But I will try doing it like the authors say. I did try to tie a tye but just can’t seem to do that. I did get a pretty good handle on how to fix a bike tire though.

Rated G

Wages of Sin

I never review a book unless the author sends me the first two chapters of a book. Then I decide if I will review it. I am so glad that I chose to accept this book. It is a mystery that had my mind racing. The “who did it” kept me reading. I thought I had it figured out, and in only a few pages I found out I was wrong. Dang, I hate it when that happens. But that goes to show how much talent the author has.

To my surprise the author does not feel like she has to use foul words to make a point in the story. Even though most of this book is about a serial killer, the language is clean.

Another surprise is that I did not know what three words met. I have never heard “my bad, guys.” I asked my husband and he told me what it meant. Then I asked my grandson who is 16 and he said to me “Seriously, I can’t believe you don’t know that grandma?”

What I do know is in my opinion a good book when I read one. I really did enjoy this book, and think you will also.

Rated: PG 13 for violence

The Burn List by Stan Stamper

One thing I like about this author is that within two pages you go from 0 to 60. This book is action packed and never a dull moment. I enjoyed the way each character is thought out and intelligent.

The way this book is written there is no room for error in this story line. It hits you fast and keeps you reading. Annie is a reporter who is trying to take down the mob in Miami. AS her husband and son got into the car she was locking the house. Then all of a sudden she hears an explosion and as she turns to look she sees both her husband and son on fire.

After two years in a mental hospital her brother an ex-Navy Seal, checks her out of the hospital, and begins to wean her off of the medications she was on. He is successful and all I can say is the mob is going down fast.

Good read but I have to say PG 16